May 4, 2024

DICKINSON, N.D. – Maerin Dartnell drove in four runs, including a bases-clearing 3-RBI double in the bottom second inning, coupled with Mandy Zander pitching a one-hitter in fueling No. 2 seed Valley City State (N.D.) to an 8-0 five-inning victory over No. 6 seed Waldorf (Iowa).  The Vikings eliminated the Warriors in the North Star Athletic Association postseason play at Sanford Sports Complex.

The Vikings (27-21 overall record) will match up with No. 4 seed Mayville State (N.D.) in another loser’s out game Sunday at 1 p.m. (MT).  The winner will move on to the following game at 3 p.m. against the loser of the remaining undefeated teams between No. 3 seed Dickinson State (N.D.) and No. 1 seed Bellevue (Neb.) for a spot in Monday’s championship game.

Waldorf ended their season at 10-29 overall record.

With bases loaded and two outs situation in the bottom second, Dartnell hit a double to left-center to score three runs to give VCSU a 3-0 lead.

Zander tossed no hitter through three innings before giving up its only hit of the game in the top fourth.  Despite back-to-back walks for Kaela Eslinger and Madison Clark, Kyleigh Morris hit a single as the Warriors set up a bases loaded situation with two outs.

Waldorf was unable to score in the top fourth as they left bases loaded as Mckenna Mentink was struck out swinging.

Avery Kuklinski kicked off the bottom fourth with a single, followed by Ashlyn Diemert’s double to produce two more runs.  Dartnell and Sierra Crocker hit back-to-back RBI ground out to extend VCSU’s lead to 5-0 after scoring Kuklinski and Diemert.

Zander added an RBI single to make it 6-0 after four innings for Valley City State.

The Vikings produced three straight singles to start the bottom fourth, but the Warriors turned into a line drive double play for two outs.  Crocker followed up with a single to set up a bases loaded situation.

Zander closed the game by hitting a 2-RBI single to secure an 8-0 victory for VCSU.  She finished the game by going 3-for-3 at the plate with three singles and drove in four runs.  Zander (W, 15-7) collected her second complete game victory in the tournament, pitching five innings.  She struck out eight Waldorf’s batters.

Dartnell added a double and four RBIs to spark the Vikings’ offense attack.  Diemert added two hits and scored three runs.  Crocker had two singles and an RBI.

Morris paced the Warriors with a single.  Eslinger recorded two walks.  Maddie Dalke (L, 7-12) took the setback after pitching four innings and gave up six runs on nine hits.